Hose storage device



Sept. 18, 1951 F, P, Z|ERDEN 2,568,532

HOSE STORAGE DEVICE Filed May 3.3, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheei l www "W 1 BY ET/i9 g 77 fw fr0/FME?.

Sept 18, 1951 F. P. zlERDl-:N 2,568,532

HOSE STORAGE DEVICE Filed May 15, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Afro/ENE# Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSE STORAGE DEVICE Frank P. Zierden, Cudahy, Wis. Application May 13, 1947, Seriall No. 747,629.

9 Claims.`

This invention relatesY to improvements in means. for storing hose Within and partolllally in space ordinarily wasted or little used space within the structural portions, f a building while retaining ready access to the hose from exterolfly of the building or the `storage space.

It is. one, obiect of the invention to nlovde means` which may loe/merely edeled to e present building to provide for storage of hose Within the building and in. ASnaoe not` usually utilized While keeping the hose and the cgntrol valve therefor accessible from outside of the storage space.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the storage of a loose Within e Space of which the length of the hose is a multiple of more than two times the length of the Space- Another object of the invention is to provide for the storage of hose in a space within or closelv adjacent to o building strueturel portion and to provide for invariable placing of the hose in one or more loopsl free from interference between the looped portions, either during storage of the house or While withdrawing the hose from the Storage space.

A further objeet of the invention is to provide an outlet through a wall of a building for hose to be stored within the building wall or within or adjacent to a structural building portion, whereby the hose is keptcontinuously accessible from outside of the building wall or other struc-u tural portion of the building.

And a further object of the present invention is to provide an outlet through a building wall, or other structural portion such as a floor, for hose to be stored within such Wall or floor and in which the structure of the outlet itself is such as to prevent movement of the nozzle end of the hose and of the means for controlling the supply valve into positions inaccessible from the free end of the outlet.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a View partially in section and partially in elevation showing the present invention applied to fragments of a building oor and wall.

Fig. 2 is a fragment of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is an end view of an outlet box for insertion in a structural portion of a building;

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view on the plane of line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing the manner in which hosel lies on the storage space `licor and shelf;

Fie. 6A is aside elevation of a mooned forno of the present. invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertloal sectional View longitudinally of Figli; and

Fia. 8 le a` vertical eeotlon token on the tiene of. line vlll-VIII of. Fla` 7,`

Generally, the storage space used is in a` space between the lloor J'olsts or Within o1? immediatelv ooieeent to o` Well. ol a building.' or Within or immediately edlaoent to other building Stroe.- torel portions end providing o enaee @leer of lo n.lloling` etrnotnrol elemente enel not utilized for other purposes, In one Inodnootion of the inf vention Soon renace le enoloeed` preferably Wltll Sheet, metal.,` for Some distance from the Well of the building, and may be provided with a shelf, also preferably of sheet metal, spaced closely' above the eneloelog Sheet. lont with one end of the shelf a considerable distance from the building wall and with such end sloping toward the enclosing sheet to substantiallyonly the thickness of the hose above the enclosing sheet. An opening through the building Wall 4from the enclosed space is provided with an outlet including' a casing through which both a hose and a rod for the Water-controlling Valve extendby way of separate passages. The casing is joinedwith an outlet box to be set on or inthe building Wall and enoloses both rollers, for guiding hose inovefment into and out of the casing, and the handle end of the valve control rod.

Referring particularly to the drawings, I2 and I3 represent structural elements of a building, such as the floor joists between which a clear space, preferably at least twenty-live feet in length, is available, A connection I 4, with a source of water under pressure, is brought into the space and is provided with a valve I5 preferably turned so that the valve stem extends toward the building wall, generally designated II. The water connection and the valve are pref.-` erably brought into the storage space :adjacent the wall of the building. The space between the joists is enclosed by a smooth floor I9, preferably of sheet metal, provided with a door 20 for access to the water connection and the valve.

A shelf 23 may be placed between the building elements I2 andi`I3 at a distance above the space floor I9 only slightly greater than the diameter or thickness of a hose 24 which is to be connected with the valve Iii.V Such shelf is` also preferably made of sheet metal, but, in any case, is smooth and without projections on either the upper surface or the under surfaces` which might interfere with movement of the hose in the en closed space. The end 25 of the shelf, which is adjacent to the building wall I1, terminates at a considerable distance from such wall and is sloped toward the space noor i3 to just clear a 'nose lying on the hoor. If desired, both the space noor and tne sneirmay be slotted or perforated for tne drainage or' moisture and to prevent tne accumulation of dust or dirt therein.

An outlet with a casing portion, generally designated 3|), and a box portion, generally designated 3l, are placed with the casing portionextending through the wall l1 and with the box portion secured on the exterior of the Wall or set into the wall, the box being made the dimensions of two bricks to facilitate setting the box into a brick or other masonry building Wall. '.L'he casing portion 3o is formed from an outer casing tube 34 in which is eccentrically mounted an inner casing tube substantially divided into portions 35 and 3B by a ridge 31 pressed into tne tube. Tube 35-36 is of such size as topass hose '24 freely therethrough and toV receive hose nozzle 38 until inward movement thereof is limited by the tube ridge 31. It will be seen that the tube 435-31 is so placed in the outer casing 34 as to be in the lower portion of the casing when the outlet is in use. Y

A rod comprising a first section 40, a second section 4|, a third section 42 and a handle section 43 extends through the space between the outer casing 34 and the tube 35-31, and is guided in part by passing through a hole in an end plate 46 for the casing tube portion 34. The rod section 40 is forked at one end for connection with'the valve hand-wheel 41 and extends into tubular second rod section 4l to provide a telescoping portion for ready connection with theV valve. Such second rod section ends in a clevis-like structure joined with a similar structure on third rod section 42 to provide a joint 48 permitting universal movement between the second and third rod sections. The third rod section 42 is slotted to receive a lug 49 on one end of the rod handle section 43 for sliding to form a second telescoping portion of the rod, the other end of the rod section 43 being provided with a handle 53. The outlet box 3l is permanently joined with the casing 34 and closes one end of such casing except for an opening for one end of the nozzle or inner tube 35-31 and an opening through Which the rod section 42 extends. The rod section 42 is thus supported at both ends and may be rotated to turn handwheel 41 for opening or closing the valve l5. A washer 54 with an internally extending ear 55 is placed about the end of rod section 42 with the ear extending into the slot in the rod section to provide a stop for movement of thelug 49 on rod section 43. The end of the rod section 42 is then formed over the washer to hold the parts in assembled relation, thus also permitting relative movement of the rod section 42 and the rear wall 56 of the box 3|'.

A pair of brackets 60 extend from the box wall 56 adjacent the end of the nozzle tube 35-31 and, in conjunction with the bottom Wall El of the box, support a pair of rollers 62 to guide movement of the hose into and out of the tube 35-'-31 and prevent rubbing of the hose on the edge of the tube end. It will be seen that the box 3| has a top wall 65 sloped for keying into the wall l1 by the use of mortar and has a lip extending outwardly from the surface of the wall l1,..that the box and walls 66 are flanged inwardly as 4at 6,1 to provide stops for a door 68iand a flange coacting with the box top flange` 4 for receiving a lug 69 to prevent unauthorized use ofthe hose.

Assuming that the free space between the joists i2, I3 is approximately twenty-five feet in length, a hose which is approximately fty feet in length may be fastened to the valve l5 at one end while the other end of the hose is passed through the tube 35-31 to receive the nozzle 38. The

hose may be pulled out of the tube 35-31 until no more slack remains and used exteriorly of the space (or of the building). Opening of the valve l5 is accomplished simply by sliding the rod section 43 relative to the rod section 42 for a convenient distance and then turning the entire rod by use of the handle 5i). 'After the hose has been used as desired, the hose is returned to the space merely by pushing the hose back through the tube, which slides the bight 24a of the hose back into the space until the nozzle 38 seats on the tube ridge 31 whereupon the hose is positioned as indicated in Fig. 1. It will thus be seen that a length of hose approximately double the length of the space may be inserted within such space.

If a hundred foot length of hose is to be accommodated in a twenty-five foot space, the shelf 23 is placed as above described. Assuming that the entire connected hose has been used exteriorly of the storage space, and is to be returned thereto, the hose is merely pushed back until the first bight 24a (see Fig. 5) of the hose is against the back wall 2 I for the space between the joists. Further pressure axially of the hose then forms a second bight 24h in the hose which slides over the sloping lip 25 of shelf 23 and slides on the shelf until the second such bight is stopped by the storage space rear wall 2l. A`

length of hose four times the length of the space -can hence be accommodated by use of the shelf 23. It has been found that the above action takes place invariably if the shelf is located and formed as above described, and that the present means for storing the hose for ready accessibility may be used with any hose of suiicient rigidity through the tube 35--31 and out 'of the space through the door 20. However, return of the hose to the storage space does not then follow automatically as above described.

In the present instance, the wall I1 is shown v'as an outside wall of a residence including a foundation 13 on which rests a sill composed of tWo timbers 14 to which the joists l2, I3 may be joined and with the space between the joists filled with masonry or concrete. A building floor 15 is laid on the joists as usual and the usual wall 16, with a surfacing 11 is erected on the sills. It will be understood that the space employed for storingthe hose, in the above modiflcation of the invention, may be in space not otherwise employed in any of the walls or other structural elements of a building. Thus an interior wall may be used to receive a fire hose an'd its connections or the hose may be stored in the building floor as shown while the outlet is set into the floor with the cover flush with the floor surface. Y Y

Referring now to the modified form of the invention as shown in Figs. 6 to Y1 inclusive, the combined Wall outlet casing 30 and outlet box 3| is mounted in the wall l1 as above described and enters a receptacle generally designated 80 which is suitably supported adjacentthe building wall or foundation as from a building joist l2. Such receptacle maybe made. from three channel mernbersl` formed toV dene three edges of the receptacle to which areattached plates or sheets 82and 83 formingthe receptacle sides. The side plate 83 remote from the joist l2 is provided with a door 84 adjacent the `upper end of such side for access to the receptacle if the open upper end thereto should be so mounted as to restrict access therethrough into the receptacle. It will be understood, of course, that the upper end of the receptacle may be closed if desired. The sides 82 and 83 of the receptacle, if `made of sheet metal, are' preferably stifened by forming diagonal ribs therein or thereon.

`'I'he dimensions of the receptacle 8D are determined by the size of the hose 86 to be stored therein. The outer diameter of the'hose when the hose is under the maximum fluid pressure, determines the width A-B (see Fig. 8) of the receptaclewhich is such that the hose` is readily movable therein, whether or not under pressure, and whether of the stiff walled ory collapsible wall type. For example, the usual. garden hose is le outer diameter, hence `the receptacle width should be` approximately 1%. The length C-D (see Fig. 7) `ofthe receptacle may vary from 4 to 5, again depending upon the type of hose used, the length being such that the hose may fold as shown in Fig. 7, into its natural bends. Itwill be seen that `the hose has a standing length 81 attached to the valve I5 and, in its stored position,l extendingdownwardly into' the receptacle to the bottom thereof where the hose piles up in loops 88. `.The loops rest on each other with thev centrali-portion of each loop restingon the bottom of the receptacle or on the next lower loop, `whilethe endsof the loops restagainst the hose length 81 and against the end of the receptacle, respectively. The depthE-F (see Fig. 8) of the receptacle is determined by the total length of the hose to be stored and whether or not the loops of the hose are capable of supporting the weight of the superimposed loops of the hose without damage, when the hose is not under pressure. It has been ffound for example, that a hundred foot length of garden type hose may be readily stored in a receptacle approximately 5,' in depth. It will be seenthat the hose Weight is distributed between the bottom and the ends of the receptacle and is partially supported byvalve I5. i Hence, a considerable length of hose may be stored without such Vaccumulated Weight on the lower loops as to be injurious to the hose.

`It willbe `understood that the receptacle may also `be set into an ordinary -wall between the studding thereof, -or may be hung on the inside surface of the wall'or may be buried beneath the iloor. If one wall of `the building is sufficiently smooth to allow4 vertical movement of the hose thereon, the receptacle Wall adjacent thereto, may be omitted thus reducing the cost and Weight of the receptacle without material change in rigidity. The outlet may enter the receptacle as shown, may be set at an angle with the vertical at the end thereof, may enter the receptable through a side wall and may be set at any desired angle to either the length or width of the receptacle or to both such dimensions.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the 6 invention or frozn` the scopeA of theY appended claims.

I claim: 1. Inadevice for storing a'hoseand its nozzle in a building and in readily accessible position from exteriorly of .the-building,\ box-like enclosure Within thelbuilding, a Water connection within the building accessible: from within? the enclosure for attachment ofloneendsof the `hose thereto, a valve controllingothe `flow of Awater from the connection into the hoseya rod for manually operating the `valve from `outside the building, andv an outlet from theenclosure `and building, the-outlet having passagesfor free movement of the hose therethroughfand retain-,1

the hose thereto, an outlet comprising a box portion `and two telescoped tubes forming a casing portion providing two separate passages, the inner tube providing a passage for free movement of the hose therethrough and having an inwardly extending peripheral ridge limiting only movement of the nozzle thereinto, and a rod extending through the passage dened by the inner and outer tubes of the casing portion and for operating the valve from outside of the building.

3. In a device for storing a hose Withina building for ready availability at" all times and from exteriorly of the building, a box-like enclosure within the building for receiving and retaining the hose in loops; a Water connection within thebuilding for attachment of the hose thereto, a valve controlling iiowiof` Water from the connection into the hose, an outlet i comprising a box portion and a casing portion formed from two' telescoped tubes and providing two separate passages through the outlet, and a telescopic rod extending through the one of the passages dened by the inner and outer casing tubes for operating the valve from outside of the building, the rod having one telescopic-portion Within the building beyondone end of the outlet casing portion and having another telescopic portion within the casing for extension beyond the other end of the outlet casing portion.

4. In a device for storing a hose within a building for ready availability at all times and from exteriorly of lthe building, a box-like enclosure within the building for receiving and retaining the hose in loops, a Water connection within the building for attachment of the hose thereto, a Valve controlling flow of Water from vthe connection into the hose, anoutletV comprising a box portion and a casing portion formed from two telescoped tubes and providing two separate passages through the outlet, and a universally jointed rod extending through one of the passages dened by the inner and outer casing tubes for operating the valve from outside of the building, the rod having one telescopic portion within the building beyond one end of the outlet casing portion and having another telescopic portion Within the casing for extension beyond the other end of the outlet casing portion, the universal joints of the rod being within the building Vof the hose therethroughand for retaining the hose nozzle in-predetermined position, and a rod extending through another outlet passage for operating the valve from outside the building, the box portion being adapted for insertion in the building wall and being open to the exterior of the building, the box portion having Y a lip extendinglfrom one side of the boxl for diverting water draining downwardly on the' building wall from above the box, and having inwardly flanged box ends and a flanged hinged cover abutting the end flanges and vwith the cover flange coming below the box lip upon movement of the cover into box-closing position.

6. In a device forlstoring a hose and its nozzle within a-building for accessibility and use from exteriorly of the building, an enclosure within the building forV receiving and retaining the major portion of the hose, a valved water connection within the building for attachment of the hose thereto, an outlet comprising a box portion for insertion into the building wall with one box.v surface substantially in the plane of the exterior Wall surface and a tubular casing portion having a plurality of separate passages therethrough, one casing'passage providing for` free movement of the hose therethrough and having an inwardly extending peripheral ridge for limiting movement of the nozzle 'thereinto, and a rod extending through another casing passage for manual operation of the valve froml outside the building.

7. In a device for storing a hose and itsnozzle within a building for accessibility and use from exteriorly of the building, an enclosure within the building for receiving and retaining the major portion of the hose, a valved water con-V nection Within the building for attachment` of the hosethereto, an outlet comprising a box portion for insertion into the building wall with` one box surface substantially in the plane Yof the exterior wall surface and a tubular casing por-- tion having a plurality of separate passages therethrough, one casing passage providingy `for freemovement of thel hose therethrough and having an inwardly extending peripheral ridgeY intermediate the length thereof for limiting movement of the nozzle thereinto,Y and a telescoping and universally jointed rod rotatably supported in and extending through another casing passage for manual operation of the valvev from outside the building.

8*, 8. In a device for storing a, hose and its'nzzl within a building for accessibility and use from exteriorly ofthe building, an enclosure within the building for receiving and retaining the major portion of the hose, a valved water connection within the building for attachment of the hose thereto, an outlet comprising a box portion for insertion .into the building wall with one box surface substantially in the plane of the exterior wall surface and a casing portion having a plurality of separate passages therethroughgone casing passage providing for free movement of the hose therethrough and having an inwardly extending peripheral ridge for limiting movement ofthe nozzle thereinto, a rod extending through another casing passage for manual operation of the valve from outside the building, and rounded surfaced means rotatably mounted in the box for guiding movement of the hose from the casing and through the box.

9. In a device for storing a hose and its nozzle within a building for accessibility and use from exteriorly of the building, an enclosure within ,the building for receiving and retaining the major Vportion of the hose, a valved water connection within the building for attachment of the hose thereto, an outlet comprising a box portion for insertion into the building Wall with one box surface substantially in the plane of the exterior wall surface and a casing portion formed by a tube within another tube and dening a plurality of separate passages through the casing portion, one casing passage providing for free movement of the hose therethrough andv having an inwardly extending peripheral ridge for limiting movement of the nozzle thereinto,V

a rod extending through another casing passage for manual operation of the valve from outside the building, and'spaced rollers mounted in the box adjacent an end of and grooved to arcs on substantially the radius of the inner tube, the

-rollers being mounted on vertical axes for guiding movement of the hose from the casing and through the box.

FRANK P- ZIERDEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile 'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,034,285 Olsson July 30, 1912 1,046,909 Wagner Dec. 10, 1912 1,458,115 Caldwell June 5, 1923 1,534,433 v White Apr. 21, 1925 1,761,723 Greer June 3, 1930 2,184,363 Schultz Dec. 26, 1939 2,193,288 Liley Mar. 12, 1940 2,266,334 Rice Dec. 16, 1941 2,299,521 Zierden Oct. 20,' 1942 2,339,901 Zierden Jan. 25, 1944 Anl 

